If you loved
There There
Tommy Orange · Book · 2018
What hooked you in There There was the way it weaves disparate, marginalized voices into a singular, haunting tapestry of identity and survival.
Films on the same thread
Prey
Dan Trachtenberg · Film · 2022
Explores: Underdog, Cultural clash, Survival.
Like the urban Native experience in There There, this film centers on Indigenous survival and cultural resilience, forcing a confrontation between ancestral strength and an overwhelming, encroaching external threat.
It
Andy Muschietti · Film · 2017
Explores: Childhood Trauma, Fear Manifestation, Overcoming Fear.
Much like the characters navigating trauma in There There, this story uses a supernatural lens to explore how deep-seated childhood fears and historical secrets shape the lives of a community.
Everything Everywhere All at Once
Daniel Scheinert · Film · 2022
Explores: Existentialism, Intergenerational trauma, Immigrant experience.
This film mirrors the intergenerational trauma and complex family dynamics found in There There, showcasing how individuals struggle to define their own identity while tethered to their cultural history.
Where the Crawdads Sing
Olivia Newman · Film · 2022
Explores: Isolation, Survival, Social Prejudice.
Similar to the isolated figures in There There, this protagonist exists on the fringes of society, demonstrating a profound resilience while facing the systemic prejudice of a small-town landscape.
Series on the same thread
IT: Welcome to Derry
Andy Muschietti · Series · 2025
Explores: Childhood Trauma, Ancient Evil, Group of Friends.
This mystery echoes the way There There portrays a group connected by a shared, impending darkness, emphasizing how ancient burdens and local secrets dictate the lives of the vulnerable.
Reservation Dogs
Taika Waititi · Series · 2021
Explores: Indigenous identity, small-town life, teenage friendship.
If you appreciated the authentic, multifaceted portrayal of Indigenous identity in There There, you will recognize that same spirit in these teenagers striving to define themselves against rural limitations.
Them
Little Marvin · Series · 2021
Explores: Systemic Racism, Racial Trauma, American Dream Nightmare.
This series examines the persistent weight of racial trauma, reflecting the same unflinching commitment to documenting systemic injustice that makes the characters in There There so deeply resonant.
Orange Is the New Black
Jenji Kohan · Series · 2013
Explores: Female Ensemble, Incarceration, Social Class.
Just as There There highlights the interconnectedness of people living on the margins, this series explores how an eccentric, diverse group finds community and identity within a restrictive environment.
Podcasts on the same thread
This American Life
This American Life · Podcast · 2026
Explores: The human condition, Personal narrative, Social observation.
These stories mirror the human-centric narrative approach of There There, utilizing personal testimonies to reveal the hidden, complex truths that define the contemporary American experience for diverse voices.
1619
The New York Times · Podcast · 2019
Explores: systemic racism, national identity, legacy of slavery.
This documentary series provides the historical scaffolding for the contemporary struggles depicted in There There, grounding the exploration of identity in the systemic reality of the American past.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is There There a standalone novel?
Yes, There There is a standalone novel that follows twelve characters from Native communities as they travel to the Big Oakland Powwow. The story connects these individuals in ways they may not realize, providing a complete narrative within this single award-winning book.
How many characters are featured in There There?
There There follows twelve distinct characters from Native communities. Each character is on a journey to the Big Oakland Powwow, and their lives are connected through the unfolding events of the novel, which is recognized as a contemporary classic and a Pulitzer Prize finalist.
What is the primary setting of There There?
The primary setting of There There is the Big Oakland Powwow. The narrative focuses on twelve characters from Native communities who are all traveling to this event, where their individual stories and connections to one another are revealed throughout the course of the novel.
Is There There considered a highly acclaimed book?
Yes, There There is a Pulitzer Prize finalist and a national bestseller. It has been described as an astonishing literary debut by Margaret Atwood and is recognized as a wondrous and shattering award-winning novel that centers on Native American voices.